Otakon Welcomes Back Masao Maruyama for 2012

The founder of Madhouse Studios, Masao Maruyama has had a hand in the Japanese animation
industry for almost forty years. Maruyama was born in 1941 in the Miyagi Prefecture. After
graduation from Hosei University, he went to work for Mushi Production. He later went on to help
produce Unico, based on a story by Osamu Tezuka, of Astro Boy fame. In 1972, Maruyama had
a direct hand in the establishment of the burgeoning new animation Studio MADHOUSE and led the
team as a creative producer for many years.

No matter the wide range of mediums in which Madhouse Studios dealt including television,
OAV, and theatrical release, Maruyama brought the same level of quality to every production.
Regardless of the subject matter, Murayama always brings something new to the table, and he
is internationally known for exceptional animation. Maruyama is also acknowledged for his eye in
finding young talent to bring into Mad House; under his creative guidance, talents like Satoshi Kon
and Atsuko Ishizuka flourished.

Maruyama has also overseen production of critically acclaimed films such as Paprika and The
Girl Who Leapt Through Time.

Otakon 2012 will be held July 27 – 29 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore,
Maryland.

ABOUT OTAKON AND OTAKORP, INC.: Now entering its nineteenth year, Otakon is an
annual celebration of Japanese and East Asian popular culture, and also one of the largest
gatherings of fans in the United States. Otakon celebrates popular culture as a gateway to deeper
understanding of Asian culture, and has grown along with the enthusiasm for anime, manga,
video games, and music from the Far East. Since 1999, Otakon has been held in Baltimore,
Maryland; currently, Otakon is one of Baltimore's few large, city-wide events, drawing over
31,000 people for three days each year (for a paid attendance of over 85,000 turnstile attendees).
Otakon is a membership based convention sponsored by Otakorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based,
501(c)3 educational non-profit whose mission is to promote the appreciation of Asian culture,
primarily through its media and entertainment. Otakorp, Inc. is directed by an all-volunteer, unpaid
staff – we are run by fans, for fans.

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